Page 68 of Love is Fake

Kai sighs, signaling he hasn’t missed my evasion.

“This is for you.” He holds out a crisp white envelope.

“What is it?” I frown at it, arms still crossed.

“Only one way to find out.” He waggles it in the air in front of me, before rolling his eyes melodramatically. “It’s an envelope, Iz, not an atomic bomb.”

Slowly, I reach out and take it, popping open the seal and looking inside. Part of me expects a note from Lennox or maybe a copy of my NDA to remind not to say anything about what has gone down at the Gray Mansion.

It takes me a moment to realize what I have in my hands. I really must have lost track of things because the ticket has today’s date and it’s the first pre-season game for the Pelicans, for Lennox. People pay top dollar for these ‘glass’ tickets, right behind the player’s bench. It’s as close as you can possibly get to the players and the action.

“He wants you there, Izzy.” Kai’s voice interrupts my thoughts.

“If that’s true, why didn’t he bring it himself?” I ask.

“Would you have let him in the door?” Kai gives me a knowing look and I don’t disagree with him. The last interaction I had with Lennox, I wasn’t in the most receptive of moods.

“What about Honey?” I almost choke on her name. Evil Bitch-Face sounds more accurate anyway.

“Honey’s history, Iz, she has been for a long time. If you picked your phone up every now and again you’d know that.”

“He couldn’t even choose me in front of her, Kai. And I’m not a homewrecker. I’m not the kind of girl who fights for things that don’t rightfully belong to her.”

“He chose you. Every single time, he chose you. It’s just that…There were things…Ugh God… Honey, she’s complicated. Irrational. And there were loose ends that needed to be tied up inorder to not have her spiral out of control. No one expected her to show up the way she did –“

“But she still had the right to show up. She could still do that. And you know what Lennox didn’t do? He didn’t send her packing.”

“He’s hurting, Iz,” Kai says, completely avoiding everything I’ve said. “But he won’t let anyone see it. God forbid the almighty Lennox Gray prove he’s human,” he chuckles. “You’re the only one he really ever let in, you know? That has to count for something.”

I bite my lip, feeling the emotions I’ve been trying to keep at bay hammering at my resolve.

I do know, because Lennox told me as much. He told me things he hasn’t told anyone else and I’ve done the same because I thought what was between us was real. I trusted him with my deepest thoughts and feelings knowing it would be hard when things inevitably came to an end, which the cynic in me always thought it would. Joke’s on me, I guess. I thought it would be hard when we broke up, but it was more than that, it’s been heartbreaking.

“Hey, Iz.” Kai waves his hand in front of my face, taking me out of my daydream. “Turn your TV on to ESPN.”

I frown at him.

“For what?” I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter, Kai. I’ve gotta go!”

“It sure as shitdoesmatter, Iz. I saw how you and Nox were together, I saw how he looked at you like you hung the damn moon and don’t try to pretend you didn’t look at him the same way. It was sickening, but it was also the happiest I’ve ever seen Nox. And from what I’ve heard from Kiara, it’s the happiestyou’veever been. So, if that isn’t worth 5 minutes of your damn time, then maybe I don’t know you at all!” Kai throws his hands up in the air in frustration, looking at me with a seriousness allthe more powerful because it’s completely out of character for him.

“You been practicing that?” I raise an eyebrow at him, covering the effect his words have had on me.

He shrugs. “Nah – I figured I’d just wing it. I’ve been told I have a flair for the dramatic.” He looks inordinately pleased with himself and I can’t help but laugh as some of the tension eases out of the air. “So, are you gonna turn ESPN on or am I going to have to carry you inside and do it myself?”

“I’d like to see you try,” I mutter at him, making a decision. “Tell me what it is you want me to watch first.”

“Nox has a pre-game interview starting in about,” Kai checks his non-existent watch. “2 minutes ago.”

“And I care about this why?” I ask, although I can’t help but steal glances at the TV set as if Lennox might just appear behind it.

“Jesus, you and Nox are as damn stubborn as each other, no wonder you get along so well,” Kai gripes to himself, before changing tack. “Have I ever steered you wrong?” I give Kai a look and he holds his hands up. “Alright, don’t answer that. But, seriously, Iz. Just do it.”

I give up pretending I’m not all-consumingly curious about what’s going on and – for once – I do as I’m told, going back into my apartment, leaving my case for Kai to deal with.

Turning the set to ESPN, the sight of Lennox suddenly filling up the screen takes my breath away. It really is unfair how good he looks. I’m here pining and he looks like a damn male model.

The attractive reporter is in the middle of asking a question about the new Pelicans uniform when Lennox interrupts her. For the first time I notice he seems a little antsy, his hand goes to the back of his neck in a telltale sign I wonder how many people apart from me know.

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